Comments on: 5 Mistakes to Avoid During Finals http://calnewport.com/blog/2008/12/01/5-mistakes-to-avoid-during-finals/ Demystifying Sustainable Success Tue, 16 Mar 2010 19:34:52 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.2 By: Candy Dish: Spencer and Heidi Hit the Beach : College Candy http://calnewport.com/blog/2008/12/01/5-mistakes-to-avoid-during-finals/#comment-9711 Candy Dish: Spencer and Heidi Hit the Beach : College Candy Thu, 17 Sep 2009 16:21:34 +0000 http://calnewport.com/blog/2008/12/01/5-mistakes-to-avoid-during-finals/#comment-9711 [...] 5 mistakes to avoid during finals. [...] […] 5 mistakes to avoid during finals. […]

]]> By: Study Hacks http://calnewport.com/blog/2008/12/01/5-mistakes-to-avoid-during-finals/#comment-7578 Study Hacks Sat, 20 Dec 2008 13:07:28 +0000 http://calnewport.com/blog/2008/12/01/5-mistakes-to-avoid-during-finals/#comment-7578 <blockquote>I am by far my most productive when I e.g. work at a cafe or some place with noise and activity. </blockquote> A lot of people benefit from white noise. I would sometime study at the cafe at Borders, for example. By "social" studying, I think I'm referring more to the idea that people you know are with you and bothering you.

I am by far my most productive when I e.g. work at a cafe or some place with noise and activity.

A lot of people benefit from white noise. I would sometime study at the cafe at Borders, for example. By “social” studying, I think I’m referring more to the idea that people you know are with you and bothering you.

]]> By: Alex http://calnewport.com/blog/2008/12/01/5-mistakes-to-avoid-during-finals/#comment-7575 Alex Fri, 19 Dec 2008 23:19:54 +0000 http://calnewport.com/blog/2008/12/01/5-mistakes-to-avoid-during-finals/#comment-7575 This is basically mostly good advice, but I have to take issue with #4, "social working", or specifically with the idea that "monastic isolation" makes for the best working environment. While it is no doubt true that for many people it is difficult/unproductive to study while surrounded by a constant moderate level of activity/noise, I personally have found quite the opposite -- I am by far my most productive when I e.g. work at a cafe or some place with noise and activity. The dead silence of an empty room or a quiet library are often the worst. This is probably related to my ADHD, in that my biggest distractors are often internal (e.g. unrelated thoughts popping up, etc), and partially "drowning them out" with external stimuli (which I can then in turn ignore) is often the most effective approach to studying, for me. It took me a while to realize this. I feel that the most important thing here is to be honest about one's motivations and reactions. If seeking out social and "buzzing" surroundings is just a sophisticated form of procrastination, a way to "work" without actually working, then that's a problem; if it soothes the mental junk and allows one to finally catalyze one of those "energetic bursts", then it's surely an appropriate choice. This is basically mostly good advice, but I have to take issue with #4, “social working”, or specifically with the idea that “monastic isolation” makes for the best working environment. While it is no doubt true that for many people it is difficult/unproductive to study while surrounded by a constant moderate level of activity/noise, I personally have found quite the opposite — I am by far my most productive when I e.g. work at a cafe or some place with noise and activity. The dead silence of an empty room or a quiet library are often the worst. This is probably related to my ADHD, in that my biggest distractors are often internal (e.g. unrelated thoughts popping up, etc), and partially “drowning them out” with external stimuli (which I can then in turn ignore) is often the most effective approach to studying, for me. It took me a while to realize this. I feel that the most important thing here is to be honest about one’s motivations and reactions. If seeking out social and “buzzing” surroundings is just a sophisticated form of procrastination, a way to “work” without actually working, then that’s a problem; if it soothes the mental junk and allows one to finally catalyze one of those “energetic bursts”, then it’s surely an appropriate choice.

]]> By: Geoff http://calnewport.com/blog/2008/12/01/5-mistakes-to-avoid-during-finals/#comment-7436 Geoff Tue, 09 Dec 2008 16:51:08 +0000 http://calnewport.com/blog/2008/12/01/5-mistakes-to-avoid-during-finals/#comment-7436 I've found that organized group "study nights" very nearly kill any chance I had at, in fact, studying. The real problem is not just the noise, a beehive-like murmuring of many people reading <em>almost</em> silently, but also the vast number of available social opportunities. This creates an environment that usually leaves me <em>more</em> exhausted and <em>less</em> capable of performing well on a final. This is particularly true of the brilliant study nights which are scheduled to last until midnight or later. Now if you'll excuse me, I have to go to bed. I had a study night yesterday. I’ve found that organized group “study nights” very nearly kill any chance I had at, in fact, studying.

The real problem is not just the noise, a beehive-like murmuring of many people reading almost silently, but also the vast number of available social opportunities.

This creates an environment that usually leaves me more exhausted and less capable of performing well on a final. This is particularly true of the brilliant study nights which are scheduled to last until midnight or later.

Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to go to bed. I had a study night yesterday.

]]> By: Study Hacks » Blog Archive » How to Ace Essay Questions Using the Three Minute Rule http://calnewport.com/blog/2008/12/01/5-mistakes-to-avoid-during-finals/#comment-7432 Study Hacks » Blog Archive » How to Ace Essay Questions Using the Three Minute Rule Mon, 08 Dec 2008 22:17:57 +0000 http://calnewport.com/blog/2008/12/01/5-mistakes-to-avoid-during-finals/#comment-7432 [...] sit down for the test itself. Of course, this advice assumes you’ve done smart preparation (see last week’s post on exam prep mistakes for some pointers on this topic). But assuming you know your stuff, this advice will teach you how [...] […] sit down for the test itself. Of course, this advice assumes you’ve done smart preparation (see last week’s post on exam prep mistakes for some pointers on this topic). But assuming you know your stuff, this advice will teach you how […]

]]> By: Jon Kho http://calnewport.com/blog/2008/12/01/5-mistakes-to-avoid-during-finals/#comment-7428 Jon Kho Sat, 06 Dec 2008 07:06:11 +0000 http://calnewport.com/blog/2008/12/01/5-mistakes-to-avoid-during-finals/#comment-7428 I think Reshmi is referring on how to score for the programming paper during the final exam.. In fact, during my studies when i was a post graduate, i am managed to get above 90% for my programming assignments(which i think most students would get) but i managed to get a borderline pass the final paper with much suffering. In fact, i am finding ways to improve my study habits for programming during this holiday period.. I think Reshmi is referring on how to score for the programming paper during the final exam.. In fact, during my studies when i was a post graduate, i am managed to get above 90% for my programming assignments(which i think most students would get) but i managed to get a borderline pass the final paper with much suffering.

In fact, i am finding ways to improve my study habits for programming during this holiday period..

]]> By: David http://calnewport.com/blog/2008/12/01/5-mistakes-to-avoid-during-finals/#comment-7413 David Fri, 05 Dec 2008 01:46:35 +0000 http://calnewport.com/blog/2008/12/01/5-mistakes-to-avoid-during-finals/#comment-7413 @Reshmi For teaching yourself programming, the "SAMS teach yourself" series might be worth looking into. They have books for Java, SQL, C, XHTML, HTML, among others. Just do a Google search and I'm sure you'll get something. @Reshmi

For teaching yourself programming, the “SAMS teach yourself” series might be worth looking into. They have books for Java, SQL, C, XHTML, HTML, among others. Just do a Google search and I’m sure you’ll get something.

]]> By: College Candy » Candy Dish: Spencer and Heidi Hit the Beach http://calnewport.com/blog/2008/12/01/5-mistakes-to-avoid-during-finals/#comment-7412 College Candy » Candy Dish: Spencer and Heidi Hit the Beach Thu, 04 Dec 2008 22:59:16 +0000 http://calnewport.com/blog/2008/12/01/5-mistakes-to-avoid-during-finals/#comment-7412 [...] 5 mistakes to avoid during finals. [...] […] 5 mistakes to avoid during finals. […]

]]> By: Study Hacks http://calnewport.com/blog/2008/12/01/5-mistakes-to-avoid-during-finals/#comment-7411 Study Hacks Thu, 04 Dec 2008 20:46:04 +0000 http://calnewport.com/blog/2008/12/01/5-mistakes-to-avoid-during-finals/#comment-7411 <blockquote>Can you post on how to learn programming for graduate students? </blockquote> That's a good question. It's hard for me to answer. I haven't programmed in a while -- I'm a theory guy -- but when I used to have to program more during my undergraduate years I had the advantage of having been a teenage geek hacker for years and years, so I don't quite remember what the learning experience was like. To be honest, I think getting a good book, and going chapter by chapter actually works.

Can you post on how to learn programming for graduate students?

That’s a good question. It’s hard for me to answer. I haven’t programmed in a while — I’m a theory guy — but when I used to have to program more during my undergraduate years I had the advantage of having been a teenage geek hacker for years and years, so I don’t quite remember what the learning experience was like. To be honest, I think getting a good book, and going chapter by chapter actually works.

]]> By: Reshmi http://calnewport.com/blog/2008/12/01/5-mistakes-to-avoid-during-finals/#comment-7410 Reshmi Thu, 04 Dec 2008 17:35:02 +0000 http://calnewport.com/blog/2008/12/01/5-mistakes-to-avoid-during-finals/#comment-7410 Hi Cal, I have been a regular reader of your blog. Thanks for posting these practicals ideas. Can you post on how to learn programming for graduate students? Some elementary ideas on how to start and how you divide the projects? I know there is lot of material available online, but most of it seems to devoted on professional programmers. It will be nice to hear your take on this. Hi Cal,

I have been a regular reader of your blog. Thanks for posting these practicals ideas.

Can you post on how to learn programming for graduate students? Some elementary ideas on how to start and how you divide the projects? I know there is lot of material available online, but most of it seems to devoted on professional programmers. It will be nice to hear your take on this.

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